Театр

           "Bytheway,whataboutthatgirlyousawlastnight,issheanygood?"

           "Ireallythinksheis,youknow.She’sverypretty.You’resuretofallforher."

           "Oh,mydear,atmytimeoflife.Cansheact?"

           "She’sinexperiencedofcourse,butIthinkshe’sgotitinher."

           "Ohwell,I’dbetterhaveherupandgivehertheonceover.HowcanIgetholdofher?"

           "Tom’sgotheraddress."

           "I’llphonehimrightaway."

           HetookoffthereceiveranddialledTom’snumber.TomwasinandMichaelwrotedowntheaddressonapad.

           Theconversationwenton.

           "Oh,mydearoldchap,I’msorrytohearthat.Whatrottenluck!"

           "What’sthematter?"askedJulia.

           Hemotionedhertobequiet.

           "Oh,well,Idon’twanttobehardonyou.Don’tyouworry.I’msurewecancometosomearrangementthatwillbesatisfactorytoyou."HeputhishandoverthereceiverandturnedtoJulia."ShallIaskhimtodinnernextSunday?"

           "Ifyoulike."

           "Juliasays,willyoucomeanddineonSunday?Oh,I’msorry.Well,solong,oldman."

           Heputdownthereceiver.

           "He’sgotadate.Istheyoungruffianhavinganaffairwiththisgirl?"

           "Heassuresmenot.Herespectsher.She’sacolonel’sdaughter."

           "Oh,she’salady."

           "Idon’tknowthatthatfollows,"saidJuliaacidly."Whatwereyoutalkingtohimabout?"

           "Hesaysthey’vecuthissalary.Badtimes.Hewantstogiveuptheflat."Julia’sheartgaveasuddensickeningbeat."I’vetoldhimnottoworry.I’lllethimstaythererentfreetilltimesimprove."

           "Idon’tknowwhyyoushoulddothat.